①My friend Siberia once said: "Things do not give us true happiness." I used to wonder, "Is this really so?" But after experiencing a worldwide quarantine (隔离)，I think it's true.
②We live in a new, strange world. My new dress hangs in my closet - I have nowhere to wear it. My expensive car is parked -I can't go anywhere. My gym membership card is on my desk-I haven't used it in a long time. Siberia was right- things do not make me happy.
③Then how can we find happiness? I asked Siberia this question. She said it's easy- you just have to smile and be nice to everyone, even strangers.
④I decided to try it. I opened WhatsApp and entered a chat group where my neighbors and I discuss our problems. L wrote, "Dear neighbors, I hope you're having a great day! Everything will be all right," I added a smiley emoji. Within minutes, my phone received lots of messages from my neighbors. People thanked me and wished me a good day. One neighbor shared a fun song, another sent a cute kitten sticker, and another sent me a funny meme (表情包).
⑤I thought to myself, "I've made so many people happy with just a few words. If each of us said one nice thing, there could be so much happiness in the world!?" This is why I'm starting the kind words marathon. Let's each write something nice every day to a friend, neighbor, volunteer …anyone! We can support each other during these difficult times.
